Arctic Monkeys and Haim are leading the charge for this year’s NME Awards with eight and six nominations respectively, after the music magazine announced their 2014 shortlist.

Queens of the Stone Age, Lily Allen and Arcade Fire have three nods each, with Foals, Biffy Clyro and Disclosure competing for Best British Band.

Scroll down for the nominations in full

Russell Brand, David Cameron, Robin Thicke (voted Sexist of the Year in a recent poll) and Miley Cyrus are among those contesting for the dubious accolade of Villain of the Year, while comeback king David Bowie has been nominated for Hero of the Year and Best Solo Artist.

Other Hero of the Year nominees include the late Lou Reed, Pussy Riot and - splitting opinion as ever - Brand.

The Rolling Stones’ headline set on Glastonbury Festival’s Pyramid Stage last summer is a contender for Music Moment of the Year, along with Pussy Riot being freed and Kanye West bringing 'Jesus' on stage.

The fans will do battle too, with Muse and Hurts supporters contesting for Best Fan Community, while Bestival and Latitude attempt to see off tough competition from Glastonbury for Best Festival.

One Direction receive a mention, predictably in the Worst Band category, along with The 1975 and The Wanted.

Hit US crime drama Breaking Bad will compete against Sherlock, Doctor Who and Game of Thrones for Best TV Show, while Morrissey’s Autobiography will challenge Beck’s Song Reader in the Best Book category.

Mike Williams, editor of NME, said: “The past 12 months of music have had everything – returning legends, era-defining singles, more albums with a claim to be modern classics than any year in recent memory and tons of massive live moments to celebrate.

“None of this has gone unnoticed by NME’s huge audience, with more people than ever voting to compile these incredibly exciting shortlists.”

The NME Awards 2014 with Austin, Texas will take place on Wednesday 26th February at London’s O2 Academy in Brixton after the votes cast by music fans have been counted.